Morals
During her experience at the home of Nan Grant, Gertrude Flint is both physically and emotionally abused. However, the young orphan is saved from this abusive care by Trueman Flint. Later on, Gertrude marries and is a happy woman, all because of the teachings of Trueman. Cummins is trying to show to readers that what happens early in life doesn't have to effect what happens later. Even if you are abused, you can turn things around for the better, even if that means forgetting everything that used to happen. Most important, what a person thinks or believes is what drives action, and if that action is positive, than so is the person.
Relgion
Paralleling the theme of morals, religion is also something that Gertrude is taught in her time with Trueman Flint. Cummins is trying to push the point that, without religion and morals, which are deeply ingrained in the prior. With the religious faith that Trueman teaches to Gertrude, things start to become better in her life. She begins to forget about her horrible times with Nan Grant, although, at times, they can still haunt her. She also starts to live a happier life in general, and, eventually, marries. It is Cummins' belief, as is written through character in the novel, that religion is one of the keys to a happy life, and that is something emphasized throughout the novel.
